"The hamburger is definitive, greasy but oddly clean-tasting at the same time and the sauce actually is 'special.' And the shake tastes the way shakes tasted back when I was a kid. It makes me tear up just thinkin' about it." — Alton Brown, host of Iron Chef AmericaOrder: One hamburger "Animal Style" and a chocolate shake
"I dare anyone to tell me their burgers aren't as good as any you'll find anywhere, from fast food to fine dining." — Tyler Florence, host of Tyler's UltimateOrder: Double-double cheeseburger "Animal Style"
"It's fast, it's hot, there are code words — what's not to enjoy?" — David Myers, Sona and Comme Ca, Los Angeles
Order: Double-double cheeseburger "Animal Style" and fries

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In-N-Out

More Praise for In-N-Out Burger

"It's the perfect example of classic American fast food. It satisfies my craving for meat, crisp fries, and their special sauce." — Thomas Keller, The French Laundry, Yountville, California and Per Se, New York City
Order: Cheeseburger, fries "well done," and a Diet Coke
"It's a rite of passage for all visitors to California." — Nate Appleman, A16 and SPQR, San Francisco
Order: Two single cheeseburgers, one "Animal Style" and one regular with onions and fries
"The places are incredibly clean. I'm impressed as hell by that. And whatever's in that sauce is tasty." — Charlie Palmer, Aureole, New York City and Charlie Palmer Steak, multiple locations
Order: Double-double cheeseburger "Animal Style"

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In-N-Out

Chefs Who Love In-N-Out Burger

Nate Appleman, A16 and SPQR, San Francisco
Joey Campanaro, The Little Owl, New York City
Paul Bartolotta, Bartolotta, Las Vegas
Alton Brown, host of Iron Chef AmericaGuy Fieri, host of Diners, Drive-Ins and DivesTyler Florence, host of Tyler's UltimateDavid Myers, Sona and Comme Ca, Los Angeles
Thomas Keller, The French Laundry, Yountville, California and Per Se, New York City
Charlie Palmer, Aureole, New York City and Charlie Palmer Steak, multiple locations

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Chipotle

Honorable Mentions: Chipotle

"I love their big, fat burritos. Sometimes we'll have them as a fast Sunday night dinner." — Brian Bistrong, Braeburn, New York City
Order: Burrito with extra guacamole and sour cream

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Ted's Hot Dogs

Ted's Hot Dogs*

"They have a charcoal grill right next to the register where they grill the dogs. I go to Ted's every time I visit my relatives in Buffalo." — Alfred Portale, Gotham Bar and Grill, New York City and Gotham Steak, Miami
Order: Foot-long dog with chili or mustard and relish, fries, and a chocolate shake
*Ted's has been around since 1927 and has eight locations in western New York and Arizona. Visit at tedsonline.com.

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Mighty Taco

Mighty Taco

"My favorite fast-food memory is probably of Mighty Taco. It's a local [Buffalo] chain that I started going to when I was in high school, and we'd hang out there at 2 and 3 A.M. It was the first time I'd had a taco or any kind of Mexican food." — Alfred Portale, Gotham Bar and Grill, New York City and Gotham Steak, Miami

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Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen

"I've been going there since I was a kid." — Alfred Portale, Gotham Bar and Grill, New York City and Gotham Steak, Miami
Order: Buster Bar, Mr. Misty slush, or hot fudge sundae

"The food is light, healthier, and the space is designed well." — Laurent Gras, L2O, Chicago
Order: Six-pack of steamed bao (Asian bun)
*A Chicago mini-chain offering buns and potstickers. They even have egg-bacon-cheddar buns for breakfast.

"I ate from Five Guys in Brooklyn Heights last month with my son Luca. He is almost two years old. If my wife isn't home, we'll have a guys' night together and pick up burgers and fries." — Brian Bistrong, Braeburn, New York City

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Lenny's

Lenny's*

"I have my own creation that I order: a chicken cutlet hero with lettuce, tomato, mayo, and loads of Tabasco sauce, which I add myself." — Scott Conant, Scarpetta, New York City and Miami
*A fast-growing chain in New York City. There's one across the street from Esquire's offices.

"Crunchy, rich, creamy, totally not good for you, delicious." — Craig Hopson, Le Cirque, New York City
Order: Curly fries with buttermilk sauce

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KFC

Kentucky Fried Chicken

"I treat myself to KFC about three times a year. I love that crunchy fried crust. It's like the crumb on top of crumb cake; the chicken is an afterthought, really." — Michael Psilakis, Anthos and Kefi, New York City
Order: A bucket of fried chicken

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Taco Cabana

Taco Cabana

"I only order the rotisserie chicken (flameante) which is pleasantly seasoned, properly cooked, and comes with some very good ranchero-style pinto beans." — Stephan Pyles, Stephan Pyles Restaurant, Dallas

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Wendy's

Wendy's

"They're open late, so I can always get something on my way home from work." — David Burke, Townhouse and Fishtail, New York City

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Whataburger

Whataburger

"It's like a fresh, clean, Texas version of McDonald's." — Tim Love, Lonesome Dove Western Bistro and Love Shack, Fort Worth, Texas
Order: Whataburger with cheese, bacon, and jalapeños, and two sausage-and-egg taquitos

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Mike Stephen/Flickr/outsidetheloopradio.com

La Pasadita*

"They use a skirt steak rather than a lesser cut of meat. And I love the way they cook their tongue." — Paul Bartolotta, Ristorante Bartolotta, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Order: Taco di carne asada or taco di lengua (beef tongue).
*Three locations, all on the same block in Chicago, and there are still lines.

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Krista/www.goodiesfirst.com

Birreria Reyes de Ocotlan*

"Full of flavor, incredibly homey and satisfying." — Rick Bayless, Frontera Grill, Chicago
Order: Tacos of cabeza (a mixture of cheeks, jowls, and other meat from the head of a cow), lengua (beef tongue), the birria — a taco overstuffed with juicy, shredded goat meat.
*A local Chicago joint. A birrieria specializes in goat stew.

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